Vanier College Physics teacher Karen Tennenhouse receives the 2012-2013 Teaching Excellence Award

Physics teacher Karen Tennenhouse has received the 2012-2013 Vanier College Teaching Excellence Award. Admired and appreciated by students and colleagues alike, Karen was given this award in recognition of her “effective use of teaching methodologies in the classroom and for their positive impact on her students; for her meticulous mentoring of colleagues and for her never-ending selfless commitment to her students.”

Since 1974, Karen has inspired thousands of Vanier students to succeed in their studies through her warmth, encouragement, patience and support. Her office door is always open and she is adamant about providing timely and thorough feedback on assignments and tests.

“Even as a student myself I questioned the system of passive learning where the student is the recipient of knowledge given by the teacher,” says Karen. “That approach is too slow for some, too fast for others and only for a few is it just right.”

Throughout her career, Karen has helped develop unique ways of teaching Physics such as the MISP (Modularized Integrated Science Program) approach during the 1970s and 1980s and, more recently, the “flip book” method and use of in-class tutors. Creativity, devotion and a commitment to finding the best teaching methods to reach her students have been the hallmarks of Karen Tennenhouse’s approach to her profession.

Students clearly appreciate Karen’s remarkable teaching skills. “Her commitment to her students as well as her energy and enthusiasm ensure that we receive quality programming and exceed our own expectations,” say her students Hajar Aragrag, Eric Ng, and Jobelle Romera, all members of the nominating committee.

Her colleagues agree. “The image of Karen that comes to mind is Karen sitting in the Physics Study Area surrounded by a group of students,” say fellow Physics teachers, Kevin Lenton, James Pan, Hode Erdogan and Jacques Mainville. “Karen goes beyond most teachers in helping students on a personal level, making each student get the support they need to excel. It takes a lot of time and effort to create new and effective active learning teaching material but Karen continues to incorporate these in her class with unfailing enthusiasm.”

The child of a struggling immigrant family, Karen grew up in Manitoba where getting a university education was not a sure thing. “My parents did everything they could to make sure their children had an education. They had to save by nickels to send us to university. So I identify with my students because many of them were like my parents- first generation immigrants. My generation was the first in my family to attend university, just as many of my students are the first in their family to do so,” she said.

Karen said receiving the Teaching Excellence Award is extremely gratifying.

“No award or honour could I have valued more, particularly coming from my students who were the principal members of the nomination committee. I can’t convey how touched I was to receive it.”